Iga Świątek makes blistering start to United Cup as Poland defeats Norway

World number two Iga Świątek has shown no signs of concern following a one-month doping ban by dropping just a single game in her opening match at the United Cup in Sydney.

Świątek crushed lowly-ranked Malene Helgø 6-1, 6-0 in barely an hour in Poland's tie against Norway at Ken Rosewall Arena on Monday night.

She then then teamed with Jan Zieliński to win a thrilling deciding mixed doubles rubber to pilot Poland to a 2-1 victory over Norway.

Casper Ruud had levelled the tie for Norway with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Hubert Hurkacz in the men's singles but nothing could take the shine off Świątek eye-catching double act.

Świątek was playing her first tour match since a one-month suspension in November and December after returning a positive test for the angina medication trimetazidine.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency accepted the positive doping test was caused by contamination of a medicine Świątek was taking to combat jet lag.

Kyrgios, Djokovic enjoy winning doubles debut Photo shows Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios celebrate winning their doubles match against Andreas Mies and Alexander Erler. Once foes but now close friends, Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic team up to claim a stylish first-up victory in the men's doubles at the Brisbane International.

While saying on arrival in Australia that she had expected more negative reaction to her plight, Świątek has come under fire from players including Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios in recent days.

Kyrgios claimed the bans of Świątek and men's world number one Jannik Sinner for taking prohibited substances were "disgusting" for tennis, while Djokovic agreed they were "not a good image" for the sport.

But if Świątek has even heard of the remarks, she did not seemed fazed on court in her first match of the summer.

The five-time major singles champion broke world number 404 Helgø five times, won 88 per cent of points after landing her first serve and clubbed 24 winners to more than offset eight unforced errors.

"I'm happy for sure with the performance. It's not easy to play for your country … the pressure is a bit bigger," Świątek said.

"But I'm really excited. Every year I feel like I can really take so much energy from that and also from the people, from the fans.

"I feel good. I feel happy for sure. I'm happy that I can play tennis overall."

After losing to Czechia in their opening tie, Ruud and Ulrikke Eikeri had to beat Świątek and Zieliński in the mixed doubles to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinal berth.

Instead, Poland is now in pole position to top the group and advance after Świątek and Zieliński recovered from a mini break down in the match tie-breaker to prevail 6-3, 0-6, [10-8].

Great Britain's Katie Boulter defeated Argentine Nadia Podoroska in their United Cup singles rubber. (Getty Images: Robert Prange)

Earlier on Monday in Sydney, a stunning performance by Katie Boulter and Charles Broom in the mixed doubles match fired Great Britain to a 2-1 win over Argentina.

Boulter and Broom sealed the victory for Great Britain with a 7-6 (7/4) 7-5 triumph over Maria Carle and Tomas Etcheverry in the deciding match of the tie.

Etcheverry had squared the ledger with a comeback 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 2-6 win over Billy Harris in the men's singles.

Boulter had won the women's singles 6-2, 6-3 against Nadia Podoroska.

Australia, after recording a 2-1 loss to Argentina in its opening tie, can progress to the quarterfinals if it beats Great Britain on New Year's Day.

Elena Rybakina beat Maria Sakkari in straight sets to clinch victory for Kazakhstan. (AP: Trevor Collens)

In Perth, Kazakhstan locked in a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Greece in both singles matches.

Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas fell first, beaten 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) by Alexander Shevchenko.

Greece was consigned to more misery, with Maria Sakkari losing 6-4, 6-3 to Elena Rybakina in the women's singles.

Kazakhstan iced the tie with victory in the mixed doubles rubber.

AAP

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